Amazing Adventure Race set for Saturday

ST. CHARLES – Athletes and non-athletes on Saturday can participate in a clue-based race that will send teams of two to various locations in St. Charles and Geneva.

Race director Denise Croft of Living the Dream Racing said she wanted to promote another fun, lively event in the area while giving local shops more exposure.

"I haven't charged any of the businesses participating," she said.

As of Monday morning, about 168 people were registered for the Peapod Amazing Adventure Race, which will begin and end at Alley 64 in downtown St. Charles, Croft said. She said she will accept registrations until 11 a.m. Saturday, an hour before participants get to open their clue sheets for the checkpoints.

Participants must be at least 16 and will have five hours to finish the race.

The cost is $99 for teams of two and $49 for individuals who will be paired with a partner. Profits will be donated to local schools for students who cannot afford sports equipment to play a club or school sport, Croft said.

In addition to prizes for the top three finishers, Croft said the first teams to arrive at each checkpoint will also receive goodies – just as the winners of each leg of "The Amazing Race" do.

Racers will need to take pictures throughout the race to prove that they've completed their tasks, Croft said.

Participants won't be all on their own. They can call friends and ask strangers for help, and they can use smartphones to solve their clues as well as to map out the most direct route between checkpoints, Croft said.

Teams that take the most direct path between checkpoints will travel about eight miles, Croft said. She noted teams are not allowed to take personal transportation, but they may ride the Pace bus.